By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: December 19, 2007

Slowed by a groin injury, Kobe Bryant scored 18 points for the Lakers, but was a nonfactor for long stretches against the team he considered as a possible destination during the off-season.

The Lakers turned an 86-83 lead into a 14-point advantage with 3 minutes 24 seconds left.

Bryant seemed fine when he converted an alley-oop dunk in the game's opening minute, but he missed his next seven shots and finished 7 for 19.

SLUGGISH START TESTS O'NEAL Shaquille O'Neal is scoring 14.3 points a game, by far the lowest average of his career. His Miami Heat are 7-17, one of the worst records in the N.B.A. His leg hurts, his pride aches and he knows that, at 35 years old, many believe he is finished.

But O'Neal, a four-time N.B.A. champion, begs to differ. ''Do I feel tested? Yeah,'' O'Neal said Tuesday. ''I'll either pass or fail. That's why they call it a test.''

WIZARDS MAY SIGN WILKS The injury-depleted Wizards are expected to sign guard Mike Wilks and have him in uniform for Wednesday's game against Chicago. Wilks, who has played for seven N.B.A. teams, averaged 3 points in eight games this season with the Nuggets.